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Whole lotta love

From back left, A. Lynn Blumer and Nathan Meadows talk about zines and books filled by pieces by local writers. (Journal photo by Jaymie Depew)

MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum filled with people of all ages Sunday afternoon to celebrate the fifth annual Marquette Love Show.

Suggested monetary and winter clothing donations were accepted at the door, with all proceeds going to Room at the Inn’s Warming Center, a local non-profit organization that helps hundreds of people in need every week.

Special guest speakers Tayler Tankersley, the marketing coordinator of Great Lakes Recovery Centers, and Doug Russell, Room at the Inn’s director, discussed how agencies help those in need, including drug addicts, homeless folks, those coping with mental illnesses, get back on their feet.

During the chat, Russell told listeners the importance of having transitional housing in the area because its one of the most effective approaches of helping those who have “fallen on hard times.”

“Nobody gets sober living on the street or a shelter. People need a stable place to live to (lead) stable lives,” Russell said.

According to Russell, Room at the Inn is considering a new location that would allow the organization to operate as a 24-hour homeless shelter.

Based on statistics gathered from last year’s localized Point in Time homeless count, there are approximately 800 homeless people in Marquette County. Rotating churches offer limited space for people to sleep, but it’s not enough, Russell said, adding that the organization will hopefully have an idea of how it plans to expand.

Since Room at the Inn doesn’t receive any government funding, its operations rely heavily on donations from the community.

“The Marquette community has supported us incredibly over the years. We’ve received lots of help from a lot of great agencies,” Russell said. “We’re going to make this a special place, more special than it already is.”

Aside from the “fireside chat,” the family-friendly event provided live music from local musicians, workshops and activities for all ages, including yoga, hula hooping, a kid’s acting class, SSK rock painting, an ice cream social, door prizes, photo booth, food and drink vendors and more.

Jaymie Depew can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is jdepew@miningjournal.net.

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